County Hall Move – Decision Expected In Weeks

Published on: 10 Oct, 2019
Updated on: 15 Oct, 2019

By Rebecca Curley

local democracy reporter

Surrey’s new home for the county council could be revealed later this month, the leader hopes.

Councillor Tim Oliver, leader of Surrey County Council, said he hoped to reveal the new location in a few weeks.

Cllr Tim Oliver

Earlier this year he said he had hoped a decision would have been made by September.

He told councillors at Tuesday’s (October 8) council meeting that moving the council’s HQ would “enable us to offer a true civic heart within the county of Surrey”.

The location of county hall has already been narrowed down to either Woking or Guildford.

He said the move and modernisation of how staff worked would allow the council to be more “efficient, effective and tech-savvy”.

He said: “It will set is on course to be one of the leading councils in the country”.

Around 23,000 people work for Surrey County Council, including contractors.

So far, the council has spent £332,150 of a proposed budget of £538,150 for professional fees such as surveys and consultations on the move.

The council is negotiating to buy the freehold to the building it wants to move into so there will be no rent to pay. There has been speculation that the choice is between Guildford and Woking.

The move of county hall and allowing staff a more flexible approach to work is expected to save between £700,000 and £1.1million.

County Hall in Penrhyn Road, Kingston, outside the borders of Surrey since 1965, will be sold and discussions are ongoing with the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames and other third parties about its potential use.

Options considered for the building including developing it into homes, offices, shops, a hotel, student digs or education space.